Joanne C. Pratt, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

Education

Ph.D., Immunology, University of Pennsylvania
A.B., Biology, Smith College

Select Courses Taught

Principles of Modern BiologyImmunologyEmerging Technologies in Cancer Research and Treatment

Research

Factors that control the growth and functional programs of white blood cells

Biography

Prior to her position at Olin College, Dr. Pratt held Instructor positions at National Jewish Medical Center in Denver and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School in Boston. She also spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow in Paris. Dr. Pratt currently holds a research grant from the NIH, and she has previously received research grants from The Cancer League of Colorado and The Association for International Cancer Research. Dr. Pratt's research interests are focused on the factors that control the growth and function of white blood cells. She has mentored numerous Olin students in her laboratory-based research projects and incorporates a semester-long authentic research experience into her Principles of Modern Biology class. She also teaches an advanced biology elective in Immunology, which has been taught at Olin and Wellesley Colleges and an interdisciplinary course in Emerging Technologies in Cancer Research. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Olin, Dr. Pratt has served on almost every committee at the college- from furniture selection to strategic planning. Dr. Pratt's professional memberships include the American Association of Immunologists, the American Society for Engineer Education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Cell Biology. Dr. Pratt is a member of the Pilgrim John Howland Society and the Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Olin College of Engineering

An undergraduate engineering institution exploring innovative approaches to engineering education since its founding in 1997.